U.S. charity gives away $625,000 in 'genius' grants with no strings attached

September 25, 2013|Reuters

By Lisa Maria Garza

Sept 25 (Reuters) - A writer of fantasy books set in swampsof Florida and a primary care doctor in New Jersey are among 24of America's most creative and original thinkers who will eachget $625,000 "genius" grants this year, a U.S. non-profit saidon Wednesday.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has chosen13 men and 11 women, who can spend the money how they wish,according to the organization.

The grant, up from $500,000 last year, will be paid out overthe next five years.

New York-based fiction writer Karen Russell's biggest worrytwo weeks ago was dealing with an insurance company about herstolen car. Russell, 32, now plans to continue her work ofwriting fantasy books, often set in the Everglades of Florida,where she grew up.

"What's so great about this award is that it's completelyvalidating on so many levels," Russell said. "It's anunbelievable gift to get to dedicate yourself wholeheartedly toa fiction project."

Since the program began in 1981, the foundation has providedgrants to 873 fellows from a variety of fields. Scientists,scholars, artists and activists in the past have pursued theirpassions with a financial safety net from the foundation.

"Their stories should inspire each of us to consider our ownpotential to contribute our talents for the betterment ofhumankind," the program's Vice President Cecilia Conrad said ina statement.

Anonymous nominators and selection committees decide who gets a grant, and recipients usually do not know they are evenbeing considered unless they win.

Dr. Jeffrey Brenner, 44, founded the Camden Coalition ofHealthcare Providers after his private practice in New Jerseythat cared mostly for Medicaid patients flopped.

Brenner said he discovered that a very small number ofpatients consumed a large share of the overall costs of healthcare and social supports in Camden.

That knowledge inspired him to construct a searchabledatabase and geographic mapping of discharge data from allpatients at Camden's hospitals with the goal of reducingrepeated emergency room visits and hospitalizations, which causehealth care costs to increase.

"We worked for a lot of years in relative obscurity with nota lot of resources so it's really nice to see the work we careabout get recognized," Brenner said.

Other recipients include a choreographer, medieval historian playwright, neuroscientist, immigration lawyer and aphotographer.